Musings from the Millers

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Good-bye 2014 and Hello 2015!

Every year I say I am going to get the Christmas cards out before Christmas...it doesn't happen. Then I will do a New Year's card or letter...not. Easter? Never gets done. Why oh why does it not get done? I have deducted that it is because 365 days out of the year we are living life hard - to the fullest - squeezing every ounce we can get out of it! We are enjoying our home, our family, where we live, our friends, church, and the list goes on. Most days are chock full of living life - not busyness really - we are doing the things we love.

What could I say is outstanding about 2014? Well - the garage is full of things that we need to get rid of, closets need to be purged, and piles sifted through. Each week I think I will get to a closet or the garage but instead we choose life - relationships, experiences, and new things. Often I feel like I might go crazy if I can't get organized or simplify our home - and then I remember that really - will these goals last for eternity? Probably not. But our kids' souls are eternal - relationships are eternal.

You only get so many days with your kids at home...yes I will have regrets or wish I'd done things differently but I don't think I'll ever say: "I wish I'd spent more time with my kids." There is hardly a moment we are separated - though those moments are happening more since some are teens. Merl and I have decided we need to "embrace this season of life"...

Here is a glimpse of our year!

Jan. '14 we spent time with my brother Steve's family...

Enjoying Riverview Park...50 ft. in the air! (January)

March Gladness BB tournament in California

Spring break hike at Wind Cave (April)

Sedona

West Fork Trail - Sedona

Cousins once removed...

Friends

Enjoying cabin/family time in Payson (April)

Tonto Natural Bridge - April

Mother's Day 2014

Celebrating EVAC's year - May

Coach bragging on his flag football boys...

Experience Arts School Spring show (May) - faithful friends/fans

More faithful fans...

New friends - Phase One agility/BB camp (June)

Cousin time...

Dream trip to Oregon...Multnomah Falls (July)

Haystack rock...

Mt. Hood from the plane!

Lifelong friends - amazing visit...

State championship flag football game - October

Birthday dinner with friends - November

Sundevil football fans - all fall!

American Heritage Festival - November

New addition - Roman moves in...

Miller cousins - Christmas 2014...

Miller cousin arm wrestling! Christmas 2014...

We don't know what 2015 has ahead for us but the Lord knows - and His plans are good - He is always good.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord..."
Jeremiah 1: 5 and 29:11-14

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 means 16 years for Madison...

Sixteen years ago we became parents for the first time - we had no clue what was ahead! The years have flown by with Madison Joy! It is a truly fulfilling process to watch a child grow, develop, and turn into someone you are amazed by! Truly we are proud to be Madison's parents and she often leaves us speechless! Here is a review of her 15th year - leading into the big 16!

Madison on the beach - one of her favorite places...

I am fairly sure if you asked Madison what one of her favorite things was it would be EVAC. Truly this opportunity to compete in sports with other wonderful families has been a blessing for us beyond measure. Last year at the last minute Madison decided to go out for basketball not ever having played before and she is developing into a great player! Last season she played on JV and this year she was excited to make Varsity and play with some of her close friends. This fall she also decided to try volleyball and enjoyed that. We all love watching Madison play and improve and love her enthusiasm and determination to work at her sport. Probably most gratifying however has been the rich and deep friendships Madison has found with her teammates!

Some of Madison's volleyball pals...

Sweet basketball friends (on the day they surprised her for her birthday)

Another passion for Madison is aerial. I will admit - Madison will try things I never would! I am so glad! This is her third year working at aerial and it is exhilarating to watch her! Part of what has made this special is doing it with one of her friends, Hannah and then being in the same arts school as Allie.

the "coffin"

This summer Madison enjoyed volunteering at Hope Women's Center in Apache Junction. Oftentimes she took a friend with her and they would organize closets, help with events, etc. Over a period of several months Madison and Dawson (a friend from BB) worked to re-decorate the Executive Office. They planned, shopped, and painted. One day our executive director went to work in the old office and the next day it was transformed "extreme makeover" style! It was so fun to watch the big reveal after several month's worth of work. I love that Madison likes to volunteer at a place I love : )

Dawson, Tammy, and Madison...

This year is Madison's third year in Classical Conversations and she is halfway through Challenge 1! We love how Challenge exposes us to so many different disciplines. Writing short stories, Science fair, Mock Trial, Economics, Shakespeare, and Philosophy are just a few of the subjects she has studied this year. Even though science fair was not her favorite, Madison won the CC fair and then went to the state competition. Good experience : ) Mock trial however was one of her favorites! She embraced the role of the prosecuting attorney and performed amazingly in a real courtroom in front of a genuine judge!

Madison and her "mold project"

Prosecuting attorneys...

One of the things I love most about Madison is her versatility. One minute she can fix her sister's ballet bun and makeup just right and then next she is playing football with the boys. She whips up yummy muffins, cookies, and dinner! Madison also continues to love teaching and working with the kids at church, in CC, and her cousins. I always joke that she is like the Pied Piper - little children just do what she says! Maddie is always game to organize, decorate, or rearrange. When I am in need of an extra hand I can count on her - and often she is more calm and collected than me! Over the next years it will be fun to see which of her passions she decides to pursue - and what the next chapter of her life will be like. We are trying to savor these last years with her at home and hope they last as long as possible...she is irreplaceable!

Madison loves to travel and dreams of going places far away!

Madison, Amanda, Emma, and Ryan

Double digits for Allison in 2014...

Allie and her beloved ballet teacher, Miss Stella

As 2014 draws to close I need to make sure I have finished the birthday blogs! Craziness kept me from sitting still long enough to write but before the year is over here is a review of Allie's year...

Ballet has to top her list as one of her favorite activities. Even though she is only going to class one hour a week it is her passion. Miss Stella begs to have her more but for now it is all the time I can humanly get her there! This is her third year dancing and wow has she improved. Everyone loves her beautiful smile and gorgeous form!

Oh how I love this picture!!!!

So another passion for Allison would be attending EVAC sporting events to cheer on her siblings. EVAC stands for East Valley Athletes for Christ. It is the organization the kids compete with in the Canyon Athletic Association which is a Charter School league. I don't know more dedicated fans than Allie and Jon! They love going to the games and cheering with all the other families. Recently as we drove into the parking lot of our home gym Allie said "Nothing makes me more happy than coming here!" So funny - and such a blessing that the whole family loves this activity so much.

Allie's pals Leah and Claire Allie likes to take pics just like mom.....

We enjoyed a trip to Sedona with my aunt, uncle, and cousin and then a big trip to Portland Oregon. Allie savors so many relationships and is so good at capturing and enjoying each moment and not worrying about worthless details. I love how she genuinely cares about each person she is spending time with! It makes my heart sing...

Allie and Paige

Allie and Lucia on the beach Allie and Ayisha - a lifelong friend....

This year Allie and Jon and I also started attending Classical Conversations with Madison and Ryan. Allie loves working on her History, Science, Latin, Grammar, Math, and Timeline memory work! She is also participating in Essentials which includes Grammar, Excellence in Writing, and Math. I have been so proud of her writing progress as well as her willingness to try new things in class. I am so thankful that Allie enjoys all her school subjects!

Some of Allison's other favorite activities include walks and runs with the family, rollerblading, playing basketball, cooking in the kitchen, visits to Grandma and Grandpa Spence, playing with the babies in our small group, putting on "shows" with Jonathan, and listening to audiobooks while she knits. She enjoyed volunteering at Hope Women's Center a few times too!

The sibs volunteering at a HWC event...

Allie and her bookclub friends...

Even though Allie has accomplished all kinds of fun things this year I am most proud and thankful for her generosity, perseverance, nurturing spirit, encouragement, and love. Christ shines in her and we are so thankful to be her parents. We love you, Allison Grace!